San Jose: City council grants Century 21 dome theater historical status

By Katie Nelson Mercury News

Posted:
06/10/2014 11:16:21 PM PDT

Updated:
06/11/2014 06:15:17 AM PDT

SAN JOSE -- The show will go on for the iconic dome theater near Santana Row after the City Council voted Tuesday to grant the building historic status despite pleas from several council members and developers to reconsider.

The 7-4 vote in favor of the status came after dozens of community members pleaded with council members to save one of the oldest and most intact dome-style theaters that was remembered by many not only as a place of fond memories, but as a lasting image of midcentury futuristic architecture that has not been preserved anywhere else.

The theater located on Olsen Drive, formerly the Century 21 theater, was built in 1964 and closed to the public in March.

"The dome represents a pivotal change in San Jose's history," said Matthew Sutton, who runs the "Save the Dome" Facebook page. "It is the heart of west San Jose, and it should get the historical status it so rightly deserves."